Board of Directors & Leaders

Board of Directors & Leaders

To get where the veterinary profession needs to go, it takes a dynamic group of people leading the way. Get to know our leadership team.


Executive Board


Ashley I. Nichols

DVM

President

  • See Biography

    • Ross University SVM
    • Class of 2015
    • Member Since 2016
    • Currently practices at Banfield Pet Hospital 1076

Rene A. Varela

MS, VMD, MPH

President Elect

  • See Biography

    • University of Pennsylvania
    • Class of 2001
    • Member Since 2013

Vacant

Vice-President

Elizabeth Cottrell

DVM

Secretary/Treasurer

  • See Biography

    • University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine
    • Class of 2008
    • Member since 2009
    • Currently at the FDA, Center for Veterinary Medicine.

Elizabeth Hepner

DVM, MPH

Immediate Past President

  • See Biography

    • Virginia Maryland CVM
    • Class of 2016
    • Member since 2016
    • Currently works at Warm & Fuzzy Veterinary Center

Andrew O’Carroll

DVM

AVMA Delegate

  • See Biography

    • Virginia Maryland CVM
    • Class of 2008
    • Member since 2008
    • Currently at the Food and Drug Administration

Jennifer Krueger

DVM

AVMA Alternate Delegate

  • See Biography

    • Virgina Maryland CVM
    • Class of 2008
    • Member since 2010
    • Currently practicing at Olney Sandy Spring Veterinary Hospital

Robert D. Silcox

DVM

Director At Large

  • See Biography

    • Ross University SVM
    • Class of 1998
    • Owner and Veterinarian at Hickory Veterinary Hospital

Rich Streett, III

DVM

Director At Large

  • See Biography

    • Virginia Maryland CVM
    • Class of 2000
    • Member since 2001
    • Currently practicing at Churchville, Greenbrier, & Swan Creek Veterinary Clinics

Regional Delegates


Philip Palmer

DVM

Region 1 Delegate

  • See Biography

    • Virginia Maryland CVM
    • Class of 1985
    • Member since 1995
    • Practicing Owner of Palmer Animal Hospital

Carvel G. Tiekert

DVM

Region 2 Delegate

  • See Biography

    • Cornell University CVM
    • Class of 1963
    • Member since 1970
    • Currently at Animal Care Center in Joppa

Carolyn Cornett

DVM

Region 2 Delegate

  • See Biography

    • UC Davis
    • Class of 1992
    • Member since 2009
    • Currently owns and operates Keysville Mobile Veterinary Services

Monica Capella

DVM

Region 3 Delegate

  • See Biography

    • Virginia Maryland CVM
    • Class of 2019
    • Member since 2020
    • Currently practicing at VCA Calvert Veterinary Center

Santiago Jimenez Gonzalez

DVM, PhD

Region 3 Delegate

  • See Biography

    • National University of Colombia
    • Class of 2003
    • Member since 2018
    • Currently practicing at Norbeck Animal Clinic and Montgomery Animal Hospital

Megan Noyes

DVM

Region 4 Delegate

  • See Biography

    • Ontario Veterinary College
    • Class of 2010
    • Member since 2019
    • Currently practicing at Waldorf Animal Clinic

Vacant

Region 5 Delegate

Practice Representatives


Tanya Tag

DVM, DACVECC

Board Certified Specialist Representative

  • See Biography

    • Virginia Maryland CVM
    • Class of 2001
    • Member since 2011
    • Currently practicing at Pet + ER

James Casey

DVM, MS

Equine Representative

  • See Biography

    • Tuskegee University
    • Class of 1988
    • Currently works in Laurel, MD

Matthew Weeman

DVM, MS

Food Animal Representative

  • See Biography

    • The Ohio State University
    • Class of 2013
    • Member since 2016
    • Owner of Bayside Bovine Veterinary Services Centreville, MD

Laura Hungerford

MPH, PhD, CPH

Government / Corporate / Academic Representative

  • See Biography

    • Michigan State
    • Class of 1980
    • Member since 2001
    • Professor and Head, Department of Population Health Sciences and Interim Director, VT MPH Program Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

Vacant

Poultry / Avian / Exotics Representative

Tosha Starke

DVM

Small Animal Representative

  • See Biography

    • Virginia Maryland CVM
    • Class of 2004
    • Member since 2019
    • Currently practicing at All Four Paws Vet Relief

Committee Chairpersons


Shannon Skevakis

DVM

College (NV)

  • See Biography

    • University of Florida CVM
    • Class of 2011
    • Member since 2019
    • Owner Eternal Pawprints Veterinary Hospice

Matthew Weeman

DVM, MS

Legislative (NV)

  • See Biography

    • The Ohio State University
    • Class of 2013
    • Member since 2016
    • Owner of Bayside Bovine Veterinary Services Centreville, MD

Elizabeth Hepner

DVM, MPH

Membership (NV)

  • See Biography

    • Virginia Maryland CVM
    • Class of 2016
    • Member since 2016
    • Currently works at Warm & Fuzzy Veterinary Center

Vacant
PAC (NV)

Ashley I. Nichols

DVM

Continuing Education (NV)

  • See Biography

    • Ross University SVM
    • Class of 2015
    • Member Since 2016
    • Currently practices at Banfield Pet Hospital 1076

David Handel

DVM, CVA, CCRP, CTPEP

Continuing Education (NV)

  • See Biography

    • Auburn University
    • Class of 1991
    • Member Since 2010
    • Currently practices at Kentlands Veterinary Hospital

Honorary Board Representatives


Erin Casey

DVM

AVMA District II Representative (NV)

  • See Biography

    • University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine
    • Class of 2010
    • Currently Senior Professional Servcies Veterinarian at Boehringer Ingelheim

Michael Odian

DVM

Maryland State Veterinarian (NV)

  • See Biography

    • Atlantic Veterinary College
    • Class of 1995
    • Dr. Odian is the Chief State Veterinarian, Maryland Department of Agriculture Animal Health Section

Carol Schwartz

VMD

Technicians Representative (NV)

  • See Biography

    • University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
    • Class of 1993
    • Member since 1994
    • Director-CCBC’s Veterinary Technology Program/Veterinarian (SA, LA)

Elizabeth Callahan

DVM, DACT, DABVP, MS

State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners – Board Member (NV)

  • See Biography

    • Virginia – Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
    • Class of 1985
    • Member since 2001
    • Currently practicing at Veterinary Medical Center in Easton, MD

Nathaniel E. Boan

State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners – Executive Director (NV)

  • See Biography

    • Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
    • BS Psychology

Executive Staff


Marisa Francis

CAE

Executive Director

  • See Biography

    • University of Maryland
    • BA Communications
    • Certified Association Executive (2023)

Cecilia Sepp

CAE, ACNP

Associate Director

  • See Biography

    • Webster University.  St. Louis, MO
    • BA Political Science
    • Certified Association Executive (2015)
    • Advanced Certified Nonprofit Professonal (2023)

Jerrica Thurman

CAE, MBA

Director, Meetings & Events

  • See Biography

    • Frostburg State University
    • MBA
    • Certified Association Executive (2019)

Government Relations


Hannah Garagiola

President, Compass Government Relations Partners

Morgan Mills

Assistant Director Compass Government Relations Partners

Past Presidents
























2022-2023
Dr. Elizabeth Hepner


2021-2022

Dr. David Handel


2020-2021

Dr. Shadawn Salmond-Jimenez

2019-2020

Dr. Elizabeth Cottrell


2018-2019

Dr. Rich Burgess


2017-2018

Dr. Rick Lewis


2016-2017

Dr. Rich Streett, III


2015-2016

Dr. Robert Silcox


2014-2015

Dr. Justin Sobota


2013-2014

Dr. Jan Ginsky


2012-2013

Dr. Krista Evans


2011-2012

Dr. Thomas J. Armitage


2010-2011

Dr. John Kable


2009-2010

Dr. James B. Reed

2008-2009

Dr. Jack O’Mara


2006-2007

Dr. Gregory S. Svoboda


2005-2006

Dr. Cindy Burnsteel


2004-2005

Dr. Ronald O. Schueler


2003-2004

Dr. Robert Z. Goodman


2002-2003

Dr. Perry S. Crowl


2001-2002

Dr. Fred Everhart, Jr.


2000-2001

Dr. Michael Erskine


1999-2000

Dr. Joanne Howl


1998-1999

Dr. Edward H. Stephenson


1996-1997

Dr. Jimmy Tibbs

1994-1995

Dr. Jane Brunt


1992-1993

Dr. Gary Hauptmann


1991-1992

Dr. John Brooks


1988-1989

Dr. Ed Jendrek


1987-1988

Dr. James McClellan


1986-1987

Dr. Mike Radebaugh


1983-1984

Dr. Gerald TePaske


1982-1983

Dr. Carvel Tiekert


1979-1980

Dr. Bob Batchelor


1978-1979

Dr. Gary Roop


1972-1973

Dr. Cleve Brown

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